Saturday 28th February

Another month almost in, but you like me, will have to wait until tomorrow before I reveal how much rain there has actually been. Certainly since lunchtime today, the rainfall has increased quite a bit, as has the wind! On Thursday, Mary counted 13 Pale bellied Brent Geese down at Bruichladdich while along the Strand at Uiskentuie, Mary and Liz had spotted 3 Rock Pipits, 2 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Shag and 15 Oystercatcher. Mary had read in the sightings diary at the visitor centre at the reserve at Gruinart of an Iceland Gull seen at Bowmore and also the ever present Glaucous Gull still at Uiskentuie burn. Ken along with the Burbage birders had seen a flock of 60 Twite up at Ardnave, along with a few Chough. Along the flats at Gruinart a Richardson's cackling Goose was amongst the Barnies. They saw an Iceland Gull (for Mary's diary??) at Bowmore along with 9 Long taileed Ducks on Loch Indaal off Bowmore, 5 Slav Grebes on Loch Indall and finally 16 Purple Sandpipers at Bruichladdich back on Wednesday/ Thursday. Thanks to Ken and his group for sending some of their sightings through, see you at Rutland at the Birdfair in August Ken!!! Trust you all got homre safely...

Saturday 21st February

Ashley from Oriole Birding sent through this image taken by his colleague John Swann who was over with him earlier this week. Over their 4 day stay, they saw 93 Species. On Thursday, they managed to locate the Richardson's Cackling Goose amongst the Barnies at the head of Loch Indaal. Over on the Sound of Islay they had an Otter with 4 GND and Black Guillemot seen there too. Other highlights of that day was a male Hen Harrier at Gartmain with a RTD out on Loch Indaal from the same location, a good time enjoyed by them all. The Rochdale birders today had a Glaucous Gull towards Ballygrant with the other Glaucous still present at Uiskentuie. They had seen a dog Otter fishing on the Sound of Islay off Coal Ila Distilery. At Storakaig, the Red Deer Stags were down off the hill tops. Round Loch Gorm they spotted a 1st year Golden Eagle a male Hen harrier with a ringtail spoofing a flock of 150 Twite. At Bruichladdich,68 Dunlin, 5 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Turnstone were seen. Here at home, the Bramblings are still to the fore eating away as if there might be no feed here for them tomorrow!!!

Wednesday 9th March

This image of the the Richardsons Canada Goose was taken on Monday by Mike Cartwright up at Mulindry. Mike for over for a few days, over the weekend and by the sounds of it was well impressed with his first visit to Islay! On Sunday, along with his brother, they watch a pod of around 15 Bottle nosed Dolphins hunting off Ardnave Point. Thanks to Mike for the image.
James on the flats today counted 90 Curlew along with 3 Greenshank.